Construction continues in canyon

A trackhoe works in conjunction with a guide on a steep slope at near milepost 197 on U.S. Highway 6. The contractor, Gilbert Western Corporation of Spanish Fork is making good progress in tearing down the hills that have determined the width of the road through the canyon in this area for years. Motorists need to be aware of the construction zone during Memorial Day weekend, despite the fact most of those days the crews will not be working on the project.

The road improvement construction on U.S. 6 between mileposts 196 and 200 continues as the Memorial Day weekend approaches.

Carbon County motorists who will be traveling the canyon during the long holiday will notice that the crews have come a long way toward widening the road in this area.

"We have been able to get a lot of the initial excavation done already," stated Jess Ivie of Gilbert Western Corporation, the general contractor on the U.S. 6 construction project.

At the present time, the excavation and grading operations are currently being done on day shift only.

No night work is being scheduled in connection with the project, with the exception of maintenance on road machinery and equipment.

Plans are for the crews not to work on Memorial Day. However, some work may be done during the holiday weekend.

"We may be working part of Saturday," indicated Ivie on Wednesday afternoon. "But there should be no construction going on the holiday itself."

While construction is in progress on U.S. 6, flaggers will be stopping traffic intermittently.

The related delays could last anywhere from five to 15 minutes, according to officials. Therefore, Castle Valley motorists should plan trips on the canyon roadway accordingly.

The speed in the majority of the U.S. 6 construction zone is 45 miles per hour, although there are some places that are posted as 35 mph.

The Utah Highway Patrol is paying particular attention to the highway improvement area.

Motorists are reminded that fines for speeding in construction zones are doubled.

While road travel is only slightly impeded, other than waiting for stops where flaggers are located, the shoulders on the roadway in some spots are practically nonexistent.

The situation is particularly true on the north side of the highway where the construction is proceeding.

Concrete "jersey barriers" have been put in place along the stretch of highway to protect workers and motorists alike.